Protecting children’s rights in the workplace

Under UK law, businesses that employ children must hold a valid permit and comply with employment regulations.

The permits, which are required by all businesses employing children aged between 13 and 16 years old, are issued free of charge by North East Lincolnshire Council. These permits allow 13 to 16 year olds to undertake part-time work.

Council officers carry out checks on businesses to ensure that they are complying with the law.

Children under 13 years of age are not allowed to work in England unless they are taking part in a performance and have a performance licence.

The law is in place to ensure that children employed by businesses are able to work in a safe environment.

Under byelaws regulating the Employment of Children and Street Trading by persons aged under 18 years old, which was introduced over 50 years ago, teenagers aged between 13 and 16 years old can take part in light work in a number of different areas including: shop work, office work and working in cafes and restaurants (not kitchens), car washing and riding stables.

No child may be employed before 7.00 am or after 7.00 pm on any day. No child may work for more than 4 hours without a break of at least 1 hour and no child can work for more than 2 hours on a Sunday between the hours of 7.00 am and 7.00 pm.

During term time, no child can be employed for more than 12 hours per week and there are also other guidelines for the number of weekends and hours during holiday times that children can work.

For more details on child employment, visit www.nelincs.gov.uk.